Vitamin E (Natural Vitamin E Mixed Tocopherols)

PRODUCT NUMBERS

13301, 13321, and 13341

CAPSULE POTENCY

400 IU

CAPSULE COUNT

100s, 250s, and 500s softgel capsules

INGREDIENTS

Vitamin E (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta Tocopherols)

CAPSULE

Gelatin, Glycerin, and Soybean Oil

DESCRIPTION

Vitamin E is actually a group of chemicals called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Both natural and synthetic forms exist, but the natural form of Vitamin E is about 2-3 times more bioavailable and more effective than the cheaper synthetic forms. The natural form is know as "d-alpha tocopherol", whereas the synthetic is called "di-alpha tocopherol". The synthetic form is most common in supplements, but because of the known better potency of the natural form, many manufacturers are starting to switch over to the natural form. Optimal Nutrients' Vitamin E is a high quality natural mixture of d-alpha tocopherol plus beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Vitamin E is becoming well known for its numerous health benefits in areas such as cardiovascular health, as an antioxidant for immune system health, for wound healing (topically), for normal cell growth, and for normalizing inflammation. Vitamin E is one of the body's most potent oil-soluble antioxidants; and due to this, it is responsible for preventing the damage caused by free radicals on cell membranes. In addition, it has been found to reduce the ability of the blood to clot, and so it is well known for those at risk for cardiovascular problems.*
Studies on the benefits of Vitamin E for the heart, lung, and eye have shown that high Vitamin E in the bloodstream has a positive effect. However, it was found recently that supplementing with just the alpha form was not producing the same level of benefits. Therefore, current theory and studies are showing that a mixture of types of Vitamin E (tocopherols), which is normally found in our diets, is the most beneficial to supplement with. Numerous clinical studies have been performed on Vitamin E, and a few of the reviews that were recently published are mentioned below.*

Vitamin E's Ongoing Research

• Oxidation of the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is theorized to play an important role in the development of plaques on the arterial wall. A study by Gaut and Heinecke (2001) examines Vitamin E's role in preventing this oxidation and the numerous recent clinical trials which have been published.*
• A study called the "Effects of Diets Containing Fish Oil and Vitamin E on Rheumatoid Arthritis", was published in 2001 by Tidow-Kebritchi and Mobarhan. These authors examined the role of both fish oil and Vitamin E in decreasing the inflammatory prostaglandin responses in rheumatoid arthritis. They noted the recent European clinical work with Vitamin E indicating a reduction of pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and some of the recent animal studies on how this may work.
• A review article called "Use of Antioxidant Nutrients in the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes" was published in 2001 by Ruhe and McDonald. In this review, the current understanding of Type 2 Diabetes, along with its treatment, was discussed. Vitamin E and lipoic acid were mentioned as being valuable to prevent some of the oxidative damage casued by complications of this disease.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.